As I am writing this the news is breaking that the NFL and NFLRA (Referee Association) have reached an agreement. The real refs will be back for tonight’s game in Baltimore.

This will end all of the complaining about bad calls right? Fat chance, but I am very happy they have reached an agreement and we can now move on.

It looks like the referees, which is a part-time profession, will receive $173,000 dollars per season, according to Pete Prisco’s twitter account.

Here then are my Five Seahawks who impressed against the Packers Monday night.

Jon Ryan #9

When the lights were on, and the Seattle Seahawks needed it the most, Jon Ryan delivered a couple booming kicks, including a 73-yard punt that was muffed.

That punt was the longest in the league this year.

Of course, it is still well shy of the NFL record 98-yard punt by Steve O’Neal back in 1969. Ryan is currently ranked 7th in the league for punts downed inside the 20-yard line, and 4th in the league for average return against.

Both of those stats are attributed to Jon and an outstanding punt coverage team.

Speaking of joint effort, the punt unit has the second best net punt average in the NFL.

Ryan is currently ranked 7th in the league for punts downed inside the 20-yard line

Bruce Irvin #51

On Monday Night, you could hear the 12th man chanting “BBBBBRRRRRUUUUUUUUCCCCEEE” after Bruce Irvin made both of his sacks. He should have had a third, but Packers’ guard Bryan Bulaga held him, and tackled him to the ground.

No matter, Chris Clemons cleaned up the play with a sack of his own. Bruce loves to prove his doubters wrong, so far he is doing a great job of that. Irvin now leads all NFL rookies in sacks.

Did I mention that both of Irvin’s sacks Monday came in the first quarter?

Golden Tate #81

Golden Tate has been the center of controversy for the past two weeks. Packers fans have been classless towards Golden since Monday night. They have been calling him the N-word among other things.

Of course, they have only been following Packers’ idiotic, loud mouthed guard, TJ Lang. Tate seems to be handling the situation well.

In the second quarter Golden Tate ran a nice double move post route. During the play he made Packers’ cornerback Tramon Williams look like a rookie.

Russell Wilson, who actually is a rookie, delivered a great pass for a 41-yard touchdown.

Ever since the last second play, Golden Tate has been the center of attention. Like it or not, Tate did what he had to do to “compete” for the ball. Yes, he pushed a defender out of his way.

That said, it is not his fault the referee didn’t call him for offensive pass interference. After that, he went up and fought for the ball. He fought until the play was absolutely over, and he was the player who emerged with the ball when it was all said and done.

I can’t pretend to know what was going through the officials’ minds at that moment, but I do know they called it a touchdown. It is not his fault, he just line up and “balled-out”.

Clearly the Packers game was one of the best ever for Brandon Mebane. (Photo: The News Tribune)

I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Chris Clemons #91

I apologize to Chris Clemons for even considering that he might have lost his edge. After watching him during the preseason I was extremely concerned.

No matter what I type about his performance Monday, nothing would be better than simply stating the fact that he had 4 sacks in the first half, THE FIRST HALF!!!

He is now third in the NFL with 5.0 sacks this season.

Brandon Mebane #92

Brandon Mebane had 2 sacks Monday night. He has only ever had more than 2 sacks in a season one time, back in 2008. If he doesn’t have another sack all season, he will end up 0.5 sacks short of his total from 2009-2011.

Clearly the Packers game was one of the best, if not the best, game he has had in his professional career.

I would also like to give an honorable mention to every Seahawks defender.

I couldn’t list them all, but it was an outstanding defensive performance.

They are going to be an exciting group to watch this season, “Better get your popcorn ready”.

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